Oct 01, 2014 | Brett Lee | 2053 views
Overtime nail biter for season opener!
If the pack parking lot, line out the door of the arena and jammed packed hockey stands didn't say enough the community of Seaforth certainly were loud enough to let everyone know that not only were the Centenaires back. They were missed!
"It really exceeded our expectations" said club President Bill Tremeer. "We wanted a great atmosphere, community support and a tight game. We really can say we got it all and I cannot thank people who came out enough. This was huge." The night was opened with a nodd to the some of the people who made Centenaire Hockey possible for many years as local Cents supporters Joyce McClure and Marg McClure, were driven out to center ice by Graham Nesbitt to meet Conservative MP Ben Lobb for the inaugural puck drop. Mary Paige St Onge lead the crowd of over 400 in the singing of the National anthem, bringing the arena to life.
"This was a big game for many of the guys here" said team captain Brendon Merritt. "There is no question, some of us many have been gripping the stick a little tight in the first, but we settle down and got into the game." It was Milverton who seemed to be able to close out the loud Seaforth fans and jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. "Man, it is a tough moment when you look up at board and see that score. Every guy on the bench wanted to perform great tonight. We just had to remind ourselves that it was early in the game, and do what we needed to and that was get to work." continued the Captain. Before the end of the second the team pulled within 1 goal of Milverton with goals from Scott Frey and Kodi Stoltz.Early in the third Andy Trimmel would tie the game up with a quick shot past the Milverton goalie. Miverton kept the pressure on, moving ahead 4-3. Again Seaforth answered back with a goal from Ryan McMurray.
The blow for blow exchange continued with another goal from Milverton making it 5-4. With 4 minutes to go Phil Aslin netted the 5th goal to pick the Cents up off the mat and send the game to overtime. Early in OT, Milverton would intercept the puck and end the See-saw battle and take the over time win. "We wanted that win bad" said Merritt. "That was an awesome crowd tonight and we really drew on that energy. To fight back that many times, would have been something sweet for everyone in the arena tonight. It was special to be playing here in front of all these people tonight, they really got behind us. It was awesome."
General Manager Tim McNaughton liked what he saw from his team. "Every guy in that room wanted to win tonight. It was a great thing to see them battle back each time. They showed heart, and that is what we wanted to see. We could not have been more proud." It was a point that was not lost on the huge crowd. The Centenaires return to action this Saturday Oct 11.2014 against the Petrolia Squires in Seaforth. "There will be no easy games" said McNaughton. "I loved our compete level and we all loved the energy the town brought to this game. Outside the players, this game was about the town filling the arena. I am not sure we can expect capacity every game, but what a way to start."
Doors open at 7:30pm,Saturday one hour before puck drop at 8:30pm, tickets are available at the door.